The confluence of the martial art and classical dance festival concluded on Thursday with a conglomeration of artists from round the world. The last performance on the concluding day of the event was a martial art form from Manipur, Thang Ta, translating to sword and spear. The two have been symbolized as mother goddess and father goddess in traditional episode of Manipur.
The performance was by Shri Gurumayum Biseshwor Sharma, a Thang Ta expert and winner of the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Purashkar. The entire troupe mesmerized the audience with their swift sword and spear movements. In a brief encounter backstage, Guru Biseshwor Sharma said, “Thang Ta demands extreme discipline, courage and ethics. The form of art requires breathing control, swift movements and great physical strength.”
Thang Ta is also called Huyen Lallong that carries almost the same meaning as the former. The geopolitical situation required Manipuris to be excellent fighters given the independent state was often at war with enemies like the Burmese. The Meitei tribe were warriors and the martial art is mirror of the war culture of the state.
Guru Bisheswor Sharma also mentioned that the form of art is used both for self defence and carries a deep spiritual foundation a has a vast history. He also said, “This peace pagoda is the place where the cruel emperor Ashoka gave up war and became a monk, so performing it here on this stage is a privilege.”
Sharma who was in Odisha last in 2003 could not stop gushing about the amount of love he receives in the state. While he sat on the Tabla, the troupe performed various types of Thang-Ta that included Thang Leiteng Haiba, Thang-Ta Cheineiba, Cheirol Jagoi, Thang-Chungoi Yannaba, Thangjou Ani Yannaba, Thabi Kakpa and Thang Ahum Yannaba.
The Thabi Kakpa, also called cucumber cutting ahowcases the extraordinaly skill of the martial artist. The artist is blindfolded while the cucumber is placed on the hands and belly of other artists. The performing artist cuts the cucumber in two pieces without hurting the other men which symbolises that they are extremely trained and can protect themselves from possible attacks even in the dark. This sequence left the audience cheering for the artist that were so brilliant in their performance.
This art form is now performed at cultural events and regarded as an expression to portray the rich warrior culture of the north eastern state.